Glucocorticoids effective for croup in children

Glucocorticoids improved croup symptoms at 2 hours (moderate‐certainty evidence), and the effect lasted at least 24 hours (low‐certainty evidence). Glucocorticoids reduced rates of return visits, hospital admissions and readmissions (moderate‐certainty evidence). Glucocorticoids reduced length of hospital stay by 15 hours (range 6 to 24 hours), but made no difference in need for additional treatments. There appeared to be no additional benefit from combined dexamethasone and budesonide in comparison with using either treatment alone. Few serious adverse events were reported related to short‐term treatment with glucocorticoids for croup.